Key Points
- There is no difference at all between the Oculus Quest 2 and the Meta Quest 2.
- The only differences between both products are their logos and their names.
- Both products have the same technical specifications and remain suitable for VR gaming, spatial computing, remote work, and social media interactions.
Is there a difference between the Meta Quest 2 and Oculus Quest 2? The answer to this question can be quickly summed up in a single word: No. In fact, there is only one difference between the Oculus Quest 2 and the Meta Quest 2, and it’s not the price, resolution, refresh rate, features, accessories, storage, battery life, comfort quality, or any other change in tech specs. It is purely a name change. The only true changes that occurred between the Oculus Quest 2 and the re-brand were changes to the logo and name of the software.
The physical device is exactly the same between the original version and the re-brand. The same storage options are offered for the same prices. All of VR’s best games available can be played standalone or by tethering to a PC on both VR headsets. For all intents and purposes, the re-brand can be considered a simple name change.
However, if you’re curious about the popular virtual reality headset, let’s dive into a few specifics about it, shall we?
Difference Between Meta Quest 2 and Oculus Quest 2: Side-by-Side Comparison
Virtual reality technology continues to advance, and two of the latest offerings on the market are the Oculus Quest 2 and META Quest 2 which both offer an immersive VR experience. In this section, we’ll be taking a side-by-side look at the difference between the Meta Quest 2 and Oculus Quest 2, highlighting their key features and specifications to help you make an informed decision:
| Meta Quest 2 | Oculus Quest 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Name: | Meta Quest 2 | Oculus Quest 2, now Meta Quest 2 |
| What It Is: | Standalone VR Headset | Standalone VR Headset |
| Primary Use: | VR gaming, spatial computing, remote work, social media | VR gaming, spatial computing, remote work, social media |
| Conceived: | October 13, 2020 | October 13, 2020 |
| Initial Release: | October 13, 2020 | October 13, 2020 |
| Technical Committee: | Meta/Facebook/Oculus | Meta/Facebook/Oculus |
| Influential Developers: | Luckey Palmer, Meta | Luckey Palmer, Meta |
| Open Format?: | No | No |
| Technologies Influenced: | VR Gaming, spatial computing, remote work | VR Gaming, spatial computing, remote work |
- Self-contained, no PC required
- 3D positional audio
- Hand with haptic feedback
- 128GB
©Boumen Japet/Shutterstock.com
Oculus Quest 2 vs. Meta Quest Pro: Pricing
©Roman Chazov/Shutterstock.com
The META Quest Pro is a premium virtual reality headset that offers high-end features such as a resolution of 2K per eye, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 6DoF (six degrees of freedom) tracking. It also features built-in hand tracking and a comfortable, adjustable design.
On the other hand, the Oculus Quest 2 is a more budget-friendly option that still provides a great VR experience. It has a resolution of 1832 x 1920 per eye, a refresh rate of 72Hz, and 6DoF tracking. It also has the option to connect to a PC for more demanding VR experiences and access to a wider range of content.
Both headsets are portable and don’t require a separate PC or console to operate. The META Quest Pro is targeted toward VR enthusiasts and professionals, while the Oculus Quest 2 is more suitable for casual VR users.
Additionally, when deciding between the two, it’s important to consider your budget and VR usage. The META Quest Pro offers more advanced features and specs, but at a higher price point, while the Oculus Quest 2 offers a more accessible VR experience at a lower cost.
Price
META Quest Pro: Launched in 2022, starting price of $999. Currently available for purchase online and in select retail stores.
Oculus Quest 2: Launched in 2020, starting price of $299 (64GB) and $399 (256GB). Widely available for purchase online and in retail stores.
Both the META Quest Pro and Oculus Quest 2 offer high-quality VR experiences, but the Oculus Quest 2 is significantly more affordable and widely available. The META Quest Pro is a newer and more expensive option with improved specs, but may not be as accessible to the average consumer. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences and budgets.
Oculus Quest 2 vs. Meta Quest Pro: A Comparison of Design
©Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock.com
The design of a VR headset plays a crucial role in determining the comfort and user experience. When comparing the Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro, there are a few key differences to consider.
The Oculus Quest 2 features a sleek, all-in-one design with adjustable straps and a halo headband for a secure and comfortable fit. Its lightweight build and breathable fabrics make it ideal for extended VR sessions.
The Meta Quest Pro, on the other hand, features a more premium design with metal accents and a larger form factor. It offers improved comfort with adjustable straps and a padded headband, as well as better balance and stability thanks to its additional weight.
Both headsets offer built-in audio and microphone capabilities, but the Meta Quest Pro offers improved audio quality with its built-in Hi-Res Audio system.
When deciding between the Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro, it’s important to consider your individual needs and preferences for VR headset design. If you’re looking for a lightweight, portable option, the Oculus Quest 2 may be the way to go. However, if you’re looking for a more premium, high-end design, the Meta Quest Pro is the better choice.
What is Meta Quest 2?
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In November 2021, Facebook changed. The company had expanded well beyond just running one of the most popular social media websites in existence. Facebook had purchased and created social media applications that spanned every genre. They had also focused heavily on the advancement of the Oculus Labs Quest product line. With so much under its belt, the company changed its name to Meta.
The change in branding was purposeful and meant to signify a new direction for the company that focused on the Metaverse over just Facebook alone. The Oculus Quest 2 is their main device for accessing the Metaverse outside of flat screens. So, with the new brand name, Oculus Quest 2 was changed into the Meta Quest 2.
What is Oculus Quest 2?
The Oculus Quest 2 is a standalone VR headset. The Oculus VR headset lineup was originally designed by Oculus founder Luckey Palmer. It started with the Oculus Rift series and evolved from a line of VR headsets that required a tether to a VR-ready PC to standalone VR headsets with the Quest series.
Early mobile implementations were developed under a project where Facebook partnered the Oculus team with Samsung to create Samsung Gear VR. These phone accessories allowed specific Samsung smartphones to be used as a VR headset with a single remote control for selection and movement. The Gear VR was widely successful as a test device and inspired the creation of the Oculus Go.
The Oculus Go mimicked everything about the Gear VR, but it removed the need for a smartphone to be placed inside of it. The downside was that the VR experiences and software were rather limited in comparison to what was possible on PCVR.
Then, Facebook released the Oculus Quest. It was the first iteration of a standalone VR headset with inside-out tracking and two motion controllers for immersive VR experiences. The first Quest was powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR1, which also became the device’s biggest limitation. While the XR chip is powerful, it wasn’t quite ready to bring the whole PCVR experience to a mobile device with an SoC.
In 2020, Facebook released the Oculus Quest 2 powered by the XR2. The per-eye resolution was greatly improved and the device is capable of a 120 Hz refresh rate. It was released in two variants; $299 for the 64 GB model and $499 for the 256 GB model. Within a year, it became apparent that 64 GB would not be enough. Facebook then replaced the base model with a 128 GB model and lowered the 256 GB price by $100, to $399.
- Self-contained, no PC required
- 3D positional audio
- Hand with haptic feedback
- 128GB
©History-Computer.com
©History-Computer.com
©History-Computer.com
Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2: Specs
- Name: Meta Quest 2, formerly Oculus Quest 2
- Operating System: Quest System Software based on Android 10 source
- SoC (System on a Chip): Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2
- Storage: 64 GB (discontinued in July 2021), 128 GB, or 256 GB
- Memory: 6 GB
- Display: 1,832 x 1,920 per eye @ 120 Hz, LCD
- Graphics: Adreno 650 (~1.2 TFLOPS)
- Sound: Two built-in side-mounted speakers, 3.5mm audio jack
- Input: 6DoF (6 Degrees of Freedom) inside-out motion tracking, hand tracking, Oculus Touch controllers, Bluetooth, microphone
- Cameras: Four infrared cameras
- Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Battery Life: Two to three hours
- Weight: 503g (17.7 oz)
- Online Services: Oculus Store, Steam VR (through Oculus Link to VR-ready computer)
- Price: $299 for 128 GB, $399 for 256 GB
The specs for each device are the same because, other than a logo change and a name change, they are the same thing. All improvements to the Meta Quest 2 are on the Oculus Quest 2 as well. As the software continues to receive updates, the only difference between the two is the physical logo on the front of the device.
Oculus Store and Steam VR
The Meta Quest 2 has access to a standalone Oculus Store preinstalled on the VR headset on purchase. It can also be tethered to a PC via Wi-Fi or USB-C to access the PCVR Oculus Store and Steam VR titles. With support for Open XR APIs expanding, you can play anything that has a VR option with Meta Quest 2.
Accessories
The list of customizations and aftermarket parts that can be used with the Meta Quest 2, and thus the Oculus Quest 2, continues to expand dramatically. The brand change did not come with physical changes to the device. All accessories, head straps, wrist straps, stickers, protective coverings, and interfaces can be used with either one.
Meta Quest 2 vs. Oculus Quest 2: Pros and Cons of the Brand Change
The release of the META Quest 2 marked a significant change for the VR headset brand, with many consumers wondering how it compares to the popular Oculus Quest 2.
While both headsets offer a high-quality VR experience, there are key differences between the two that make them appealing to different types of users.
In this section, we’ll examine the pros and cons of the META Quest 2 vs Oculus Quest 2, helping you to decide which headset is right for you:
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Facebook has social baggage that can’t be left behind. The impact of Facebook on the world cannot be understated. | The name change was sudden and received as a somewhat duplicitous move by Facebook and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. |
| Oculus had been absorbed into Facebook for quite sometime before the name change. The founder of Oculus, Luckey Palmer, has been separated from Facebook as well. The advancements in standalone VR are almost purely the result of Facebook’s direction. The new brand name helps to distinguish Facebook’s VR headset from others. | Brand names can take time to be used and the old brands often have true consumer loyalty. |
| Meta is a name for the underlying information or data about everything. The Metaverse is a 3D spatial computing method for interacting with such metadata. | Oculus as a brand is known as the biggest name in VR innovation. The removal of the Oculus brand could be interpreted as a sign of change in how VR is aimed to be designed. As VR has been primarily funded by a devoted following with strong ideas of how it should be handled and improved, the change in direction is striking to some. |
Up Next…
Interested in these devices and find out what sets them apart from the rest of the key differences between them? Click on these links to find out more:
- Oculus Quest 2 vs Valve Index: Which is Better? Which offers better resolution, a better field of vision, and awesome tracking, for less? Find out here.
- Oculus Quest 2 vs HTC Vive Pro 2: Which is Better? One is a standalone device and the other, is a tethered appliance. They both require different hardware too. Find out which option is the best for you.
- Oculus Quest 2: Price, Specs, and if it’s Worth Buying: It promises an unparalleled VR experience. But just how capable is it of living up to the hype? Discover all you need to know, here.
